I do not own this.
Source from :http://www.vintagevisage.net/Dress_terms.html
A-line
A dress or skirt that looks like the letter
A. The silhouette starts as a form-fitting bodice that flares out at the
waistline
Ballerina
A full dress or skirt length with the hem
line right above the ankles.
Ball gown
A dress with a fitted bodice, narrow
waistline and a wide, floor-length full flared skirt.
Bohemian
A trend that connotes a free-spirited
attitude toward fashion. Feminine details, including flounces, ties, ribbons,
ruffles and embroidery, combine with floaty fabrics or
garish, gypsy-like prints. Also called hippie-chic.
Bustier
A sleeveless, strapless top or dress held in
place by boning or elastic. It is designed to help shape and enhance the bust
line and should stay in place if it fits snuggly at
the waist. Common of 1950s/60s party and prom dresses.
Caftan
A ankle length full robe with slit neckline,
decorated with embroidery and long, full bell-shaped sleeves.
Cheongsam
A traditional dress worn by Chinese women,
typified by a high collar, long length (mid-calf usually) and button or frog
closures near the shoulder. This fitted dress is often made up in shimmering
silk, embroidered satin or other sensual fabrics.
Classic Dress
A dress with a timeless quality, usually one
that incorporates clean lines.
Coat Dress
A dress cut like a coat; with closures (or
zipper) up the front and might be lined.
Cocktail dress
A dress worn for late afternoon and evening
social functions; dressier than afternoon dress, but not as formal as a
full-length evening gown.
Column Dress
A long, straight dress.
Corset Dress
Incorporates most of the following on the
bodice: strapless, fitted, boned, and often laces, buttons, or snaps up the
back.
Day Dress
Street dress; simple dress suitable for town
wear.
Dressing gown
A robe worn for lounging or before dressing.
Drop Waist Dress
A dress with its waist at hip level.
Empire Dress / Line
Dress that has a high waistline that starts
under the bust. Can also be a seam or panel just under the bust.
Evening dress
A very formal style of dress. An evening
dress is full length, sleeveless, and usually décolleté.
Gown
An interchangeable term with dress. Usually
reserved for formal titles.
House Dress / Morning Dress
Simple style dress made of light comfortable
fabric. It usually has front buttons that stop near the waist, a belt and patch
pockets.
Jumper
Sleeveless dress with a very low-cut neckline
and armholes; it is worn over a blouse or a sweater.
Kimono
A long robe with wide sleeves typically worn
with a broad sash at the waist.
Mermaid
A dress that fits tightly until the knee then
dramatically flares.
Pinafore
A fashionable dress that closes at the sides
sometimes with a gap. Meant to be worn over another dress. Often used to
protect other dresses when cooking or cleaning
Polo Dress
Dress whose bodice imitates the knit shirt.
Princess Dress
Unbelted dress with a fitted bodice and a
full or straight skirt whose cut accentuates the figure.
Romantic Look
A term used to describe a big, floaty, dreamy
type of silhouette or dress.
Sarong
A long cloth that is wrapped around the
entire body. It can be tied at the waist to form a skirt or tied around the
neck or underarms for a dress.
Sheath Dress
Unbelted, very tight form-fitting dress.
Shift
A straight-lined and basic dress of the 1960s
that hangs away from the body.
Shirtwaist Dress
Dress with a bodice that resembles a man’s
shirt; it usually has a belt and buttons all the way up the front.
Slip dress
Bias-cut dress with a fitted top, no
waistline and camisole straps that often looks like an undergarment.
Smock
A dress that has a shoulder yoke with
gathering for a full sweep.
Sunday night dress
A sleeved dress, often in bright colors, more
formal than afternoon dress but less formal than dinner dress.
Sun dress
Very low-cut dress with slim straps, which leave
the back and shoulders uncovered. Commonly misused online!
Tea gown / Garden Party Dress
A tea length (mid calf) gown worn for
afternoon tea. In the 20s and 30s, the name referred to a semi-formal frilly
dress.
Trapeze Dress
Unbelted dress with an increasingly flared
skirt that hangs from a tight bodice.
Tunic
A simple slip-on garment made with or without sleeves, usually
past the hips or longer, sometimes belted at the waist.
Wraparound Dress
A dress that is open from top to bottom; it is fastened by
folding one side over the other and holding them in place with a belt.
